Wedding venues to suit all tastes​​

11 October 2018
— Christine Marot

Whether you time your wedding to coincide with the majestic blooming of the jacarandas in spring, the scenic beauty of a riverside venue in summer, or a winter bushveld setting overlooking the Magaliesberg, Gauteng has much to offer those planning their nuptials.

The Fairway Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort

Located on the Randpark Golf Club’s Firethorn Course (previously known as the Randpark Course), 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Sandton, this elegant destination pairs superb service with outstanding cuisine. Golf villas offer family-sized accommodation ideal for a gathering of the clans, while a stone-clad chapel housing 160 guests caters to the formal side of the occasion. The Fairway Spa offers pre-wedding pampering for the bridal party – and other early arrivals!

The Forest Walk

Three wedding packages, each with its own decor options and pricing, are available at this Midrand venue. Catering is offered on a price-per-head basis, depending on the menu chosen from a convenient list of suggestions. Accommodation lies within walking distance at The Orchards guest house, and a suppliers’ list is available for anything not done in-house, from the cake to professional photographer – or a pastor!

Blaauwpoort Venue & Lodge

In-house wedding coordinators are on hand to manage the finer touches on your special day at Blaauwpoort.
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Blaauwpoort Venue & Lodge)

If overseas family or friends are on your guest list, why not spoil them by hosting at a bushveld venue overlooking the Magaliesberg mountains? Blaauwpoort, just over the border from Gauteng in North West, is a thatch-roofed venue that seats 350 guests for a big event or as few as 80 if yours is going to be an intimate wedding. In-house wedding coordinators are on hand to manage everything from invitations to flowers, dresses, make-up and hair. While the lodge itself can sleep up to 50 guests, arrangements can be made to accommodate up to 200 more in the vicinity.

Renovatio River Estate

Overlooking the Suikerbos River near Vereeniging, this 15ha venue is easily identified by its towering bluegum plantation and The Century Tree, a giant bluegum that provides shade for 100 guests in an outdoor wedding setting. If nostalgia is your thing, you’ll love the venue’s quaint sandstone chapel built in 1883. The banqueting hall, including the dance floor, can accommodate 150, and there’s a dedicated bridal suite for the newlyweds. The Renovatio white house, an impeccably decorated venue for taking memorable photographs, completes the offering.

Thabong wedding & conference venue

Versatility is key at Thabong, where the functions hall can accommodate 120 to 500 guests, depending on the size of the dance floor. For smaller wedding parties, there’s an alternative venue that holds 40 to 120. Those keen to take advantage of beautiful weather might opt for a chapel and garden wedding, with seating for 50 in the chapel and 80 more outside at one of three garden venues. Added personal touches offered include bespoke floral arrangements for the ceremony, reception and table centrepieces, buttonholes, and a wide range of artisanal candles. For ultimate convenience, there are resident beauty and hair professionals on hand.

The Stone Cellar

This Heidelberg-based venue prides itself on offering “outdoor farm-style weddings with a modern twist”. Under an hour’s drive from Johannesburg, The Stone Cellar is set on the slopes of the Suikerbosrand River Valley, on the farm Ferreira’s Rus. The farm’s original milking parlour has been repurposed to create a beautiful chapel that seats 150, with the artisanal touch extending to handcrafted wooden tables and vintage dining chairs. In-house wedding coordinators offer comprehensive wedding packages and are on hand to attend to every aspect of your special day. A professional, in-house chef sees to all catering requirements, complemented by an extensive wine cellar.